To make this easy kid-friendly pasta dish, start by cooking the pasta. Bring a medium saucepan of water to boil. Season with a teaspoon of salt. Add pasta to boiling water and cook for 7-8 minutes until al dente or as per pack instructions. Drain and keep aside.
While the pasta is cooking, place the broccoli florets in a steamer basket or in a bowl with 1/4 cup water in the microwave. Steaming time will be 6-8 minutes depending on size of florets / Microwave for 4 minutes or so depending on size of florets.
In a medium saucepan, heat the butter and fry the flour in the melted butter for 3-4 minutes on a medium flame. Add milk to this with constant stirring. Season with salt and pepper and continue to stir until sauce thickens and no big lumps of flour remain. Stir in the grated cheese until it melts into the sauce. At this point, you can add further flavour to the sauce by adding some lemon zest.
All three components for the kid-friendly pasta with broccoli are ready.
Take 2 pasta dishes. Divide pasta between the two dishes.
Divide steamed broccoli florets between the plates, placing them over the pasta.
Top with cheese sauce.
Use any or all of the garnishes to add more colour and flavour to the dish.
Serve hot.